The Nigerian Navy has dismissed the allegations made against Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff, stating that they are unfounded and without basis.
Certain media outlets had accused Ogalla of facilitating the unregulated smuggling of Nigerian crude oil and engaging in a fraudulent scheme to split multimillion-naira contracts.
According to the report, Ogalla allegedly released several impounded oil tankers that were involved in transporting stolen crude oil off the Nigerian coast, after receiving substantial kickbacks.
However, the Nigerian Navy, through Rear Admiral Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, the Director of Information, has refuted these allegations in a statement.
Ayo-Vaughan clarified that the vessels mentioned in the report were actually involved in crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering, and they have not been released as claimed.
“The allegations that the Chief of the Naval Staff accepted over $170 million in bribes as well as alleged involvement in multi-billion naira contract splitting fraud in the last six months are untenable, baseless, and untrue,” he said.
“Firstly, there are clear procedural requirements in the arrest, detention, and release of any vessel or persons found culpable in the maritime environment. It is not until these processes are duly concluded that such vessels are released to appropriate prosecuting agencies for further action.
“Indeed, all arrested vessels mentioned in the publication that were involved in crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering are being investigated, and none of such vessels has been released as alleged.”
Additionally, Ayo-Vaughan stated that only the NNPCL had the authority to grant contracts for oil bunkering, not the Chief of Naval Staff.
“The CNS does not award or oversee oil bunkering contracts; the award of such is the sole prerogative of NNPCL.
“Also, all contracts awarded by the Navy follow due process in line with the laws of the Federation. The Nigerian Navy and her roles are an offshoot of the constitutional provisions and duly guided by extant laws and regulations of the land.
“The policing roles of the Navy empowered her to monitor the maritime domain of the nation. These, among others include the arrest of vessels that contravene any of the maritime laws and SPOMO Act 2019,” he added.
A spokesman for the Navy accused a few unarmed people who he called “disgruntled elements” of trying to extort Ogalla because they were “feeling the heat of the several operations by the Navy.”
